March

Conflict countries - Mali (Manuel Manrique, RNE)27/03/2012

The Tuaregs live mainly in the northern areas of Mali, geographically, culturally and economically far from the south, the centre government and its capital. Mali has witnessed several Tuareg rebellions, the most recent in January 2012.

Mali’s President Toure had faced criticism from the army for his inefficient handling of the Tuareg’s secessionist war. Now amidst a military takeover, it is unclear whether the country will be able to hold presidential elections, scheduled for April. FRIDE expert Manuel Manrique analyses the country’s future perspectives.

Senegal goes to the polls (Oladiran Bello, La Sexta)22/03/2012

Senegal celebrates the second round of presidential elections. Macky Sall from the Alliance for the Republic or incumbent Abdoulaye Wade will decide the country’s future over the next 7 years.

Germany and the crisis (Susanne Gratius, Radio Autonómica de Canarias)19/03/2012

FRIDE expert Susanne Gratius analyses Germany’s crisis management policies and the price to pay for chancellor Merkel’s austerity policies: the decline of European integration, a creeping north-south divide between member states and the loss of global influence on trade liberalisation, development and climate change.

Markets to save Libya from civil war? (Barah Mikail, The Voice of Russia)09/03/2012

Now in Libya it is more necessary than ever to achieve stability so as to foment investor confidence and attract foreign investments to the country’s oil industry.

In Libya, there are too many individual agendas and very low prospects for a common project. FRIDE expert Barah Mikail analyses how the oil industry could shift the focus from political strife towards business and developing the Libyan market.

Libya and its future as a unified state (Barah Mikail, The Voice of Russia)07/03/2012

Insecurity and instability in Libya could affect the country’s unity, as well as have a broader impact on the security situation in the neighbouring countries. FRIDE expert Barah Mikail analyses the future perspectives for Libya and its people.

Vladimir Putin has once again won Russia’s presidential elections, which were held amidst heavy popular protests. Natalia Shapovalova, researcher at FRIDE, analyses the results and the country’s future perspectives.

New book threatens the King's rule in Morocco (Kristina Kausch, DR)01/03/2012

"The Predator King", written by French journalists Cathérine Graciet and Éric Laurent, is a critique of King Mohammed VI and the situation in Morocco. In an interview for Danish radio DR, Kristina Kausch, senior researcher at FRIDE, analyses the country’s problems and its relations with the EU.

February

DRC conflict (Cristina Barrios, RNE)28/02/2012

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been devastated by decades of conflict, the recruitment of child soldiers, sexual violence and the illegal exploitation of resources. In an interview for RNE, Cristina Barrios, researcher at FRIDE, analyses the country’s future perspectives.

Senegal: between fear and the need for change (Manuel Manrique, El Mundo)27/02/2012

According to Manuel Manrique, FRIDE researcher, the Senegalese president has the support of the population in the rural areas, the elderly and most religious leaders, who have the potential to mobilise the country’s society. Approximately 95 per cent of the population is Muslim.

After months of protests, Ali Abdulá Saleh has left power. The Yemeni population goes to the polls, but Yemen’s vice-president Mansur Hadi is the only consensus candidate to lead the transition to democracy.

The EU must develop an international strategy for the future (Richard Youngs, DR)06/02/2012

Richard Youngs, director general of FRIDE, speaks about Europe’s decline and indicates that the EU must adopt a proactive attitude towards the economy, its diplomatic relations and security if it is to recover its influence over international affairs.

No state is willing to start a military intervention in Syria due to, among others, Syria’s geostrategic alliance with Iran. Should the Syrian regime fall and give way to a tortuous transition process, the situation could deteriorate further.

January

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. The political and military elites control the country’s economy and politics, there is rampant corruption and armed groups operate outside the law. Manuel Manrique, researcher at FRIDE, analyses the country’s current situation and future perspectives.

Why did Saleh sign the agreement? (Ana Echagüe, The Voice of Russia)27/01/2012

Yemeni President Saleh has finally signed the agreement for his resignation and has stepped down, after months of mounting international pressure, including the threat to freeze his assets and those of his family. Now the country faces serious challenges ahead, as parts of the armed forces still support Saleh and protesters are unhappy with the deal that has granted immunity to the former president and his inner circle. Urgent steps include paving the way for a democratic transition and drafting a new constitution.

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FRIDE ceased its think tank activities on 31st December 2015 for economic reasons. The Board of Trustees had to take this difficult decision since,
despite many efforts to diversify its funding sources, FRIDE cannot sustain its think tank operations with a view to 2016 and beyond.

Established in 1999, FRIDE has made a major contribution to shape debate on Europe’s external activities in an increasingly challenging international environment.
It has covered issues ranging from democracy and human rights to sustainable development, new approaches to multilateral cooperation and security affairs.
FRIDE’s long-standing focus on the extended neighbourhood of the European Union proves today all the more relevant given widespread turbulence in the region.
FRIDE’s emphasis on the importance of the values framing Europe’s external activities is central to current political debates in Europe and beyond.
This shows the need for continued engagement in the pursuit of a common European foreign policy that is both effective and informed by the core values of European integration.

The Board wishes to thank Diego Hidalgo, FRIDE’s founder, for his tireless commitment and very generous support for many years.
The Board also wishes to thank FRIDE’s dedicated staff, the members of the Board and the Advisory Committee for their contribution in making FRIDE
one of the top foreign policy think tanks in Europe. We are very grateful to all those who have supported FRIDE’s work and projects over the years
and we thank the many partners from all parts of the world who have worked with FRIDE on joint initiatives. We hope that FRIDE’s extensive input to
the debate on Europe in the world will continue to inform thinking and action at a very critical time for Europe’s future.